Rwandan President Paul Kagame made a public appearance on Tuesday, meeting with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, effectively putting to rest swirling rumours about his health following a notable absence from the public eye.
The 67-year-old leader, known for his highly visible and active leadership style, had not been seen publicly since June 6—a gap that sparked speculation both online and within Rwanda. The president’s absence prompted a flurry of unverified claims, including allegations from an exiled dissident suggesting Kagame was being treated in Germany for a brain-related illness.
In response, the Rwandan Presidency released photos of Kagame in high-level talks with Obasanjo, who is currently mediating peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Rwanda has been accused of supporting M23 rebels—an allegation Kigali denies.
Addressing the rumours, government spokesperson Yolande Makolo dismissed concerns, saying:
“There is nothing to be worried or concerned about. The president is fine.”
An unnamed family member echoed that sentiment in comments to local outlet Taarifa:
“He is a human being, and like anyone else, he takes time to rest. There is nothing unusual or alarming.”
The Rwandan Defence Force also weighed in, debunking a fake social media post attributed to the military that claimed Kagame was experiencing a “serious health crisis.” The army described the statement as fabricated and warned the public against spreading misinformation.
Kagame has ruled Rwanda since 1994, when he led the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) in toppling the extremist Hutu-led government that orchestrated the genocide of more than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. While hailed by supporters as a visionary who transformed Rwanda into one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, critics accuse him of authoritarianism and suppressing dissent.
He was re-elected for a fourth term in 2024 with over 99 percent of the vote, raising further scrutiny from international observers and rights groups.
Despite his divisive legacy, Kagame remains a towering figure in Rwandan politics, and Tuesday’s appearance appears aimed at reasserting his position amid mounting regional and domestic challenges.
